Sen. Ayotte: I'd Be Ready to Take on Biden

Sen. Kelly Ayotte says it would fun taking on Vice President Joe Biden in a debate this election year because he “does have a way with words.” But to do that, the New Hampshire Republican would have to be on the GOP ticket with presumed presidential nominee Mitt Romney.

Ayotte, who’s has yet to serve two full years in the Senate, has been mentioned as a possible running mate.

But she told the Boston Herald Monday she hasn’t been interviewed for the job and downplayed speculation that her background as a former state attorney general and some well-reviewed political appearances recently make her a good candidate for the job.

“It’s certainly an honor to be mentioned for consideration as vice president, but serving New Hampshire in the Senate is the greatest honor I could ask for,” she said.

Still, the thought of debating Biden, who was campaigning in Ayotte’s home state Tuesday, brought a smile to her face.

Referring to Biden’s habit of putting his foot in his mouth, she said debating the issues of the day with him “would be quite enjoyable.”

“The vice president does have a way with words,” she joked to Herald columnist Joe Battenfeld.

Asked about the potential for forcing Biden to commit a debate gaffe, she laughed: “I don’t think there’s probably anything we have to do to make that happen.”

But on a serious note, she said, “Let’s face it, he has got a very different vision of this country than I do. I think Joe Biden’s vision is one of big government. We’ve seen that that doesn’t work.”